The Donald Trump administration has faced skepticism for its handling of Qassem Soleimani’s assassination, with justification for the attack continuing to shift in the wake of the attack. While Trump claims that the top Iranian general was planning attacks on four U.S. embassies, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that — while he agrees said attacks were being planned — the president did not present him with any evidence to support these claims.
Michael McFaul, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia under former President Barack Obama, doesn’t appear to buy Esper’s claims, Newsweek reports. Writing on Twitter, McFaul called Esper’s comments “shocking” and suggested they cast doubt on the validity of Trump’s explanation for the Soleimani attack.